Israel's Contribution to the Gulf War

by Mitchell Bard

The Iraqi
invasion of Kuwait dramatically illustrated the
potential of regional states to threaten vital U.S.
interests. Israel again demonstrated its reliability
as it maintained a low profile and absorbed the Scuds.

Israel's posture reflected a deliberate political
decision in response to American requests. Nevertheless,
Israel did aid the United States' successful campaign
to roll back Iraq's aggression.

- The IDF was the sole military force in the region
that could successfully challenge the Iraqi army. That
fact, which Saddam Hussein understood, was a deterrent
to further Iraqi aggression.

- By warning that it would take military measures
if any Iraqi troops enter Jordan, Israel, in effect,
guaranteed Jordan's territorial integrity against Iraqi
aggression. Jordan's continued existence as a buffer
state between Iraq and Israel is indispensable for the
maintenance of regional stability.

- The United States benefitted from the use of Israeli-made
Have Nap air-launched missiles on its B-52 bombers.
The Navy, meanwhile, used Israeli Pioneer pilotless
drones for reconnaissance in the Gulf.

- Israel provided mine plows that were used to clear
paths for allied forces through Iraqi mine fields.

- Mobile bridges provided by Israel were employed
by the U.S. Marine Corps.

- Israel Aircraft Industries developed conformal fuel
tanks that enhance the range of F-15 aircraft. These
were used in the Gulf.

- Israeli recommendations, based upon system performance
observations led to several software changes that make
the Patriot a more capable missile defense system.

- An Israeli-produced helicopter night-targeting system
was used to increase the Cobra helicopter's night-fighting
capabilities.

- Israel also produced the canister for the highly
successful Tomahawk missile.

- Night-vision goggles used by U.S. forces were supplied
by Israel.

- A low altitude warning system produced and developed
in Israel was utilized on Blackhawk helicopters.

- Other Israeli equipment provided to U.S. forces
included flack vests, gas masks and sand bags.

- Israel offered the United States the use of military
and hospital facilities. U.S. ships utilized Haifa port
shipyard maintenance and support on their way to the
Gulf.

- Even in its low-profile mode, Israeli cooperation
was extremely valuable: Israel's military intelligence
has focused on Iraq much more carefully over the years
than has the U.S. intelligence community. Thus, the
Israelis were able to provide Washington with detailed
tactical intelligence on Iraqi military activities.
Defense Secretary Cheney said, for example that the
U.S. utilized Israeli information about western Iraq
in its search for Scud missile launchers.

During a visit to Israel May 30, 1991, Defense Secretary
Cheney said: "We think that the cooperation that
we were able to engage in during the war in the Gulf...emphasizes
how important the [U.S.-Israel] relationship is and
how well it works when put to the test."

Critics have argued that the U.S. desire for Israel
to maintain a low profile to facilitate holding the
coalition of Arab states opposing Iraq together reflects
a diminution of Israel's strategic value; however, Israel
was never expected to play a major role in hostilities
in the Gulf. American officials knew the Arabs would
have to be prepared to defend themselves. Moreover,
the fact that it was possible to build this U.S.-Arab
coalition at the same time U.S.-Israel strategic relations
are closer than ever, illustrates the two are not contradictory.
The United States can continue to strengthen its ties
with Israel without worrying about jeopardizing ties
with the Arab states.